During an 1881 flood, the Missouri river south of Council Bluffs left its banks and created a new channel. The cut-off portion of the river formed a "ox bow" lake that became a popular recreational destination known as Lake Manawa. In 1900, the Omaha and Council Bluffs Railway Company ran an electric trolley to the lake where it had built an amusement park featuring a roller coaster, food concessions, a dance hall, and band stand. As this undated postcard attests, many people regarded an outdoor band concert as a pleasant way to spend the day.